Tennessee enters the 2026 NBA Draft with three promising prospects: Nate Ament, Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Felix Okpara. According to ESPN, Ament sits at No. 9, Gillespie at No. 44 and Okpara at No. 46 in the overall rankings.
Combine Impressions
Ament’s physical tools stand out; he measures 6-9½ barefoot with a 6-11½ wingspan, giving him size typically reserved for front‑court players while operating on the perimeter. However, his inconsistent play and occasional struggles with physicality have sparked mixed reactions among NBA evaluators.
Gillespie and Okpara are both projected as late second‑round selections, but their recent showings at the NBA Combine have elevated their profiles. Gillespie was highlighted as one of the standout performers, while Okpara’s solid mobility — 6-10 barefoot with a plus‑4‑inch wingspan — adds an appealing physical dimension.
Analysts speculate that Ament could land with either the Milwaukee Bucks or the Brooklyn Nets, teams that have expressed interest in his upside. The potential fit with other franchises such as the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors is also being discussed, though no official commitments have been made.
The depth of the 2026 class, bolstered by strong combine results, suggests that Tennessee’s trio could shape the later stages of the draft, offering teams a blend of size, skill and upside that may prove valuable beyond the first round.
Both Gillespie and Okpara drew particular attention for their athleticism and versatility, underscoring the broader narrative that this draft class is rich with physical talent. As teams continue to dissect the combine data, the conversation around Tennessee’s prospects is shifting from raw potential to concrete draft projections, setting the stage for a compelling selection process in the months ahead.